September 23
"But we must show a firm, undeviating trust in God. Often He delays to answer us in order to try our faith or test the genuineness of our desire. Having asked according to His word, we should believe His promise and press our petitions with a determination that will not be denied.
God does not say, Ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks. Christ said to Martha at the grave of Lazarus, "If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God." John 11:40."
Christ’s Object Lessons p.145
I’m a creature of habit, it must be my Germanic roots. There is the same regular prayer, Bible reading, Sabbath school lesson study and then a chapter of an Ellen White book. That continual repletion, I guess, helps me know where I am in the order of heaven. I am settled by the process.
This morning I read about Pentecost and noted that the people prayed, grew in fellowship and waited for 40 days. It wasn’t that God was observing His people day by day to see some daily progress on a heavenly power and spirituality meter before He could give the Holy Spirit as the early rain in His fullness. God was waiting to enthrone Jesus.
God, it appears, can do two things at once. He was waiting for the event He had planned to come to fruition in heaven, while on earth continued prayers were having their effect.
As the disciples prayed, and if we link today’s reading into the experience of Pentecost, we can see that as they prayed, for 40 days, their whole prayer experience was creating in them a more earnest attitude, they were developing a more intense desire to receive what was asked for.
They were not engaging in persistent prayer in order to become more frantic, they were not praying persistently to focus more on their own personal needs. The disciples wanted what they were asking for.
What were they asking for?
“The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ."
Acts of the Apostles p.37
Your persistent prayer should reflect that same need. We should pray every day for the Holy Spirit to enable us to be God’s people, able to share our faith with our prayer interests.
It might be that you could talk with your prayer partner today and work out a strategy whereby you could spend some time with the people you are praying for. It may be that now is not the time to share your faith, but to share some food or meet some need.
However we should realise that our reading begins with a really important emphasis, “But we must show a firm, undeviating trust in God.” God knows best, He will give what is needed at the right time.
